Street-indicating device



July 22, 1930. 1 s. S ARLE 1,771,013

STREET INDIGATING DEVIC E Filed Nov. 20. 1926 "4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR z.' AT RNYS gasawk July 22, 1930. G, s, SEARLE 1,771,013

STREET INDIC ATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR SSearle A T RNEYS July 22, 1930. 5, EA L 1,771,013

STREET INDICA'IING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 OAKLAND ET fjllllllllllllllll lilli:

uuumum:

INVENTOR v 6 60736 5. SearZe B WWW V %zlsA TORNEY July 22, 1930. G. s; SEARLE STREET INDICAIING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 SPRIEIG 5T INVENTOR 5607 6 SSemZ Y M %z; T NEYS Patented July 22, 1930 UNITED STATES GEORGE S. SEARLE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK STREET-INDIGATING DE ICE Application filed November 29, 1926,. Serial No 149,551.

The present invention relates to street indicating signs and has for one object to provide an improved device of this character for use at street intersections whereby to display the names and numbers of the streets or other signs or markings for assisting pedestrians and motorists in reaching their destination.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved street or highway sign in combination with a street lamp, the arrangement being such as to greatly facilitate illumination of the sign and to render it visible from various angles and free from obstruction from the lamp supporting arm or post upon which it is mounted.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvedsupporting means for the sign which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and which is adapted for ready connection, and easy attachment to a lamp post or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved numbering systemem ployed in conjunction with the present street numbering system to assist persons in locating residences and other buildings in different parts of a city bydisplaying upon the street indicating signs a number for each block corresponding to one of the numbers of the block preferably the first or the last of the series therein. V a v To these and other ends theinvention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification. V

Figure 1 is a-view in elevationembodying one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1; r

Figure 3 is a fragmentary part sectional elevation showing the arrangement of the sign plates and the manner of supporting the same; V

Figure 4 isa top plan view ofthe bracltetsto which the plates aresecured;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the lamp post showing the relative positions of the lamp fully described, the novel features being' for supporting the sign plates; and

supporting arm and sign plates carried there- 7 by and their location with respect to a street corner; I

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of a modificatron differing but slightly from that "shown in ig r Figure 7 is a top plan View of the same;

F1gure 8 is a sectional plan taken on line 8 -8 of Figure 6; if i Figure 9 is a front elevation of one of the street signs intended for use in connection, w1th the type of lamp supports shown in F igures 1 and 6;

Figure 10 is a transverse section taken on line 1010 of Figure 9 Figure 11 is a perspective view ofa plate affording a background between the sign plates shown in Figure 10;

F igure 12 is a view in elevation illustrating another modification;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in Figure 12 looking from the right side thereof;

igure 141 is a plan view of Figure 12 with the name plates remover 1; A

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on plan'15*-15 of Figure 12;

Figure 16is a fragmentary sectional plan taken on line Ri -1o of Figure 12; V

Figure 17 is an enlarged detailed sectional elevation taken on line TI -17 0f Figure 14. Figure 18 is a side elevation illustrating another modification of the invention;

Figure 19 is a top plan view of Figure 18 with the lamp post shown in section;

Figure20 is a detailed view of a bracket Figure211s a view in elevation of one of the sign plates adapted for use with the different types of'brackets shown.

Similar reference nulneralsthroughout the viewslindicate the same parts. i

The invention disclosed herein embodies an improved street indicating device for ready attachment to various types of lamp posts and other supports and includes several different forms of construction whereby the sign plates 1 may conveniently secured to the different lamp posts in a manner to alford a high degree of'illumination and also in a manner to be free from obstruction by the posts or lamp supporting elements to which they are attached whereby they can be more easily seen by those approaching from different directions.

Referring to the drawings, the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive embodies a lamp post comprising a standard or column 8 carrying a substantially U-shaped extension or support 9 the lower leg 10 of which is connected with the standard either integrally or detachably as desired and the upper leg 11 of which terminates in a sleeve like member 12 to which is suitably secured a lamp reflector 13. The U, as will be seen from the drawings, is so positioned that one leg is disposed above the other with the median line of the U extending transversely to the axis of the post, the legs forming supports for the lamp and sign. A cap or crown piece 14 is superimposed upon and carried by the sleeve. Preferably, the reflector is projected into the sleeve and connected therewith or with the cap, which may constitute a direct support for the reflector. The reflector carries an electric lamp 15 to which current is supplied by wires carried upwardly through the post and the hollow extension 9 thereof. The U shaped support 9 preferably comprises a casting and is arranged for detachable connection with the column 8 in any suitable manner. By constructing it as a separate element it can be more conveniently cast and handled and if preferred the reflector 13 and cap 1d may be applied thereto before attaching it to the column. The upper and lower signs for the intersecting streets are indicated generally at 17 and 18, the former being dis-.

posed directly over the latter and preferably at a right angle thereto. The signs are carried by a one-piece support or arm 19 formed preferably from a steel or wrought iron bar shaped and bent to the form indicated in Figures 1 and 3. The arm projects upwardly from and is attached to a lug 20 on the leg 10 of the extension 9 by means of the stud bolts 21 projecting through holes 22 in the bottom of the arm which may be staggered as indicated in Figure 3.

The upper sign 17 comprises a pair of convergently arranged plates 17 a and likewise the lower sign also embodies similarly arranged plates 18 disposed at right angles to the upper plates, the plates having the names of intersecting streets painted or otherwise formed thereon in any preferred manner. It will be noted that the single bar 19 forms a support for both signs. The bar is tapered at its upper end to receive and hold the plates 17 n at the proper angle as shown in Figure 3 whereby they are inclined to the axis of the lamp 17 above the same to be more effectively illuminated by the rays of light from the lamp than would be possible if the plates were supported in parallel relation to said lower name plates. The upper plates are secured upon the arm by screws 23 at one side and a bolt 2d at the opposite side, the bolt extending through the plates and the arm as shown in Figure 3. cured by screws 25 in holes 26 formed in the edges of the bar 19 and threaded to receive the screws, said plates being secured at their upper edges by a bolt 27 extending therethrough and through a hole 28 in the bar as shown in Figure 3. The bar, between the upper and lower edges of the plates 18 is twisted as indicated at 29 through an angle of so that by clamping said upper edges upon the flat sides of the bar and said lower edges upon the edge portions thereof, the desir'd inclination is obtained for the plates whereby they are inclined to the axis of the lamp and effectively illuminated by the rays projecting downwardly therefrom. It will be understood that the angle between the plates 18 may be varied by increasing the width of the bar 19 without varying its thickness and furthermore, that the angle between the plates 1'? may be varied if desired by varying the taper of the bar at its upper end. The bar is also given a twist at the point 30 so that its lower portion will be properly seated upon the lug 20 of the lamp post extension comprising the U-shaped support 9.

it is preferred to have a slight opening between the upper edges of the plates 17 to permit a certain amount of light from the lamp to V shine downwardly between said plates upon the lower plates at the point of intersection of the latter with the former. This will afford slightly better illumination of the centrally disposed letters of the street names applied to the lower sign plates although the names can be distinguished even without the provision of said opening.

The U-shaped extension 9 is offset a considerable amount at a point directly opposite the signs 17 and 18, as indicated in Figure 1, so as not to obscure or interfere with the reading of the signs on approaching the intersection of the streets which they designate. It can be seen from the arrangement of Figure 5 that the angle of vision included by the dotted lines 31 and representing different points of approach to the lamp post, is free from obstruction by the U-shaped extension when the latter is located as shown. in this figure. In other words, by disposing the extension so that it projects inward ly or away from the street corner and at an anglesubstantially bisecting the same the extension does not in any way obstruct the signs on approaching the corner from either direc tion. This is also true of the modification shown in Figures 6 to 14 inclusive.

The axis of the lamp is preferably disposed slightly to one side of the axis of the axis, the same being true with respect to the post, as shown in Figure 1, which makes it The lower plates are sepossible toreduce the depth of the to an appreciable degree. v v

In the modification shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, the lamp post is indicated at 33 and the U-shaped extension generally at 34, the samebeing similar to that shown in Figure 1, the'posltion of the U being such that its median line extends transversely to the axis of the post with one. leg of the U located above the other. In this case the post 33 and extension 34 are both hollow to permit the wires to extend through to the lamp 35 carried by the shade or reflector 36 which in turn is carried by the downwardly extending leg 37 of the U-shaped extension, which is preferably in the form of a bent tube. The street indicating signs in this modification are disposed upon the upper end of an arm or bar 38 constructed in the same manner as the upper end-of the bar 19 described above in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and therefore corresponding parts of the two bars or arms have been given the same reference characters. The bar 38 is carried by a member 39 forming the lower leg of the U-shaped support for the lamp and signs as shown in Figure 6. The leg 39 is preferably detachably connected with the tube 34 and carries an offset portion 40 engaging thelower end of the tube to which it is clamped by a similarly ofiset portion 41 of a plate 42 secured by suitable bolts '43 as shown in Figure 8. The middle portion 34 of the U is offset with respect to the axis of the post 33 in one direction only but is ofiset with respect-to the street indicating signs approximately the same amount as in the case of the extension 9 of Figure land affords the same clearance whereby the signs are unobstructed by the U-shaped extension and can be readily seen when approaching the street corner at which the post 33 is located, it being understood that the position of the post and extension in this case, relative to the street corner is the same as that shown in Figure 5. r

The arrangement of'sign plates shown in Figures 9 and 10 is adapted for use with the upper end portions of the arms orsupports 19 and 38 shown respectively in Figures 1 and 6 and may be readily substituted for the plates 17 and 18 on which it is preferred to paint the names of streets as stated above.

In Figures 9 and -10, only the upper-sign plates are shown, as indicated at 17*, it being understoodthat the lower plates willbe constructed and applied in the same manner as the upper plates. With this arrangement the letters or figures designating the diiferent streets are out out as in the case of a stencil for the reason that in certain parts of the country trouble may be experienced with snow accumulating on the plates "upon which the names are painted and obscuring or covering the same so that the signs become ineffective for the purpose provided. By cutting out the letters as in the case of a stencil and as indicated at 44 the above objection is overcome since the letters remain visible regardless of the snow which may accumulate around the same. This is true for the reason that circulation of air throughthe openings will prevent their filling up with the snow.

In order to afford a proper background for the cut out letters of the oppositely arranged signs, plates 45 are disposed between the sign plates and secured by any suitable means, said plates being painted black or a suitable dark color while the sign plates are painted white to give the desired contrast so that the letters forming the names of streets may be plainly seen by day as well as by night when illuminated as described above. Separate plates 45 are disposed between the plates 17 on opposite sides of each of the-arms 19 or 38 shown in Figures 1 and 6. The plates 45 may be supportedby bolts 46 extending through holes 47 in their upper edges and through the plates 17 as shown in Figure 10. If preferred, in addition to the bolts 46 oppositely extending lugs 48 and 49 may be provided at the ends of the plates which are adapted to overlie and rest upon the upper edges of the name plates as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The plates 45 may be freely inserted between the upper edges of the name plates after the latter have beenmounted and secured upon their supports. This is true regardless of whether or not the bolts or lugs are used to support the plates 45. It will be understood that both sides of the plate 45 will be painted black and that said plate will therefore form a dark background whereby the name of the street will stand out prominently when approaching the sign from either direction. It will also be understood that the plates 45 are to be used between both the upper and lower sets of name plates shown in Figures 1 and 6. The use of the cut out orstencil form of letters and the background plates therebetween in different parts of the country will of course depend upon the climatic conditions as stated above. In any event, this form of construction may be used interchangeably with that shown in Figures 1 and 6.

In the modification shown in Figures 12 to 17 inclusive the signs are placed above rather than below the lamps. In this case the lamp post 50 carries a globe 51 which is preferably frosted except for a relatively small area at the top of the globe as indicated at 52, this area-being disposed opposite the lamp, not shown, which is positioned within the globe and to which current is supplied by wires extending upwardly through the post in the usual manner. The sign holding means in this case comprises a substantially U- shaped support or extension 53, the median line of which extends transversely of the axis of the post, the legs of the U being located ill) one above another. The support preferably constitutes a T-iron, the lower end of which has one leg cut away for a short distance at which point the T-iron is provided with a semi-circular offset portion 54, which is clamped upon a reduced portion of the post by a semi-circular strap 56, and a pair of bolts 57 extending through the ends of the strap and the web portion 58 of the T-iron as best shown in Figure 16. By this means the support can be quickly and securely at tached to the post, being first adjusted circumferentially to the desired angle before tightening the bolts to clamp the support in position. The T-iron at its upper end is split along the line of intersection of the web 58 with the f anges of the T and at this point the flange portion 59 is bent outwardly to form a vertical support for one end of a bracket shown in cross section in Figure 15. The bracket is preferably constructed from a sheet metal plate formed to have downwardly extending and inwardly converging sides 61 connected by a top wall 62 which is provided at its outer end with an rip-turned portion 63 secured to the vertical portion 59 of the T-iron by a bolt 64;. The inwardly extending web portion of the T-iron is twisted at 65 through an angle of 90 to form a horizontally disposed portion 66 at its free end to provide a support for said bracket, the wall 62 of which rests upon said horizontal portion as indicated in Figure 13. The lower name plates 67 are attached to the sides 61 of the bracket, preferably by four screws 67, two of which are located at each end of the bracket. The bracket is preferably made shorter than said name plates which are extended a considerable distance beyond the bracket as shown in Figure 12. Preferably the name plates are centrally disposed over the globe 51 so as to project equal distances on opposite sides of the axis of the lamp post. The name plates 67, as will be seen from F igure 13, are held on the sides of the bracket at an inclination to the axis of the lamp or lamp post so as to better receive the light reflected through the upper clear portion 52 of the globe which affords a high degree of illumination for the names painted or otherwise applied to the plates.

The name plates 68 for the upper sign are secured to an adjustable bracket 69 which is of trough shaped construction, the sides 70 of which form direct supports for said plates which are secured by screws or bolts 71 as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The bracket 69 extends transversely of the lower bracket and is superimposed upon the inner end of the latter and pivotally connected therewith by a screw or bolt 72 extending through av tongue or lug 73 struck outwardly and downwardly from one of the walls 70 of the bracket as shown in Figure 17, the screw being threaded into the horizontal portion 66 of T-iron 53. The base of the bracket 69 is provided with an arcuate slot 74 through which extends a clamping screw 75 for holding the bracket in adjusted position upon the portion 62 of the lower sign carrying bracket. By loosing the screw 7 5 the upper bracket and the name plates thereon may be adjusted to different angular positions with respect to the lower name plates. Thus where the intersecting streets are other than at right angles, the U-shaped support 53 may be adjusted to place the lower sign plates in parallel relation with one street and the bracket 69 then adjusted to place the upper sign plates in parallel relation with the intersecting street.

In the modification shown in Figures 18 to 20 inclusive a different type of lamp post is shown embodying a hollow standard or column 76 having one or more arms 77 extending laterally therefrom and carrying at their outer ends suitable lamp supports 78 which are preferably cup-shaped and each adapted to receive a transparent or translucent globe or globe like member 79 in which is disposed an electric street lamp, not shown. The globes 79 are preferably provided with a cap like portion 80 which serves to improve the appearance of the lamps. Current for the lamp bulbs disposed within the globes 79 may be carried by wires extending upwardly through the post and the arms thereon as will be understood.

At a point on the post directly opposite the center of one of the globes 79 is placed a street indicating sign including a pair of angularly disposed name plates 81, each being secured preferably by screws 82 to the arms 83 of similarly constructed brackets 84, one of which is shown in detail in Figure 20. Each bracket includes a semi-circular portion 85 adapted to be clamped upon the post by bolts 86 extending through holes 87 in the ends of said semi-circular portions as shown in Figure 19. The name plates converge substantially to a point at one end, at which end they are preferably connected by a bolt 88. The plates 81 have painted on or otherwise applied thereto the name of the street and are highly illuminated by the light of the lamp directly opposite the converging or connected ends of the plates. In this arrangement, the name plates converge in a horizontal plane and one which preferably bisects the center of the lamp which furnishes illumination for said plates. As will be seen the arrangement is such that the si 11 is disposed horizontally at one side of tie vertical axis of the lamp rather than above or below the lamp, as in the other forms of invention described above. In this case the name of the street can easily be read either by persons driving or walking thereon or others approaching the same on a cross street. It will be understood that for a given street to bedesignated by'the type ofsign shown in Figures 18 and 19 that at every other intersecting street the signs may be reversed so that they can,be:readily seen by persons driving in opposite directions :upon 1 said street. 7 r

The name plates indicated at 89 in Figure 21 may be attached to the form of support shown in Figures 1 and 6 or to that shown in Figures 12 and 13 or 18 and 19 as desired. This can readily be done by providing the necessary bolt holes at the required points either at the ends of the plate or at the centers thereof or both as shown. This form of plate carries the system of street numbers referred to above and is provided at one side of the name, preferably at the lower side, with laterally extending portions 90 and 91 on which are painted or otherwise disposed the numbers of the street nearest the corner at which the sign is located. In this connection the numbers 198 and 202 are shown by way of example as guide numbers one as being the last number in the 100 block and the other the secon'd number in the 200 block on the side of the street having the even numbers. Arrows 92 and 93 are provided for indicating on which side of a given intersecting street the numbers of the blocks adjacent thereto are 1. located. This arrangement of the numbers will greatly aid pedestrians or motorists in finding a particular number on a given street, especially in view of the fact that the guide numbers are illuminated at night and can easily be seen from a vehicle passing in either direction on said street. 7

With this system of numbering it is unnec essary to leave the side walk to find the approximate location of the desired number or numbers of any particular street, and furthermore it can be easily seen in which direction the street numbers progress and also on which side of the street the odd and even numbers are placed. The directional arrows along with the street numbers displayed atford a ready indication by which a motorist or pedestrian may proceed to his destination when looking for a particular number in a given block.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support carried thereby, a lamp secured to one leg of the support within the U and a street indicating sign carried by the other leg of the support substantially within the U and directly beneath the lamp.

2. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support carried thereby, a reflector carried by one leg of the support, an arm carried by another leg of the support, a street indicating sign carried by the arm above thepost and a lamp carried by the reflector in position to illuminate said sign.

3. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped upstanding support carried thereby, the position of the U being such that its median line extends transversely-to the axis of thepost, a member projecting upwardly from the lower leg of the support, a street indicating sign carried by said member at a point between the legs of the support and a lamp carried by the upper leg and adapted to illuminate said sign.

4. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support extending upwardly from and having its lower leg connected with the post and its upper leg terminating in an enlarged horizontally disposed portion, a reflector secured to anddepending from said portion, an arm extending'upwardly from the lower leg of the support, a pair of angularly disposed street indicating signs carried by said arm and a lamp carried by the reflector adapted to illuminate said signs.

5.- In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support extending upwardly from and having its lower leg connected with the post'and its other leg above the lower leg terminating in a horizontally disposed sleeve like member, a reflector. having its upper end projecting within and secured to said sleeve like member, a lamp carried by the reflector, a street indicating sign beneath the lamp and supporting means for the sign carried by said Ushaped support. c

6. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support carried by and extending upwardly from the post and including upper and lower legs, a lamp carried by the upper leg of the support, an arm secured to and. projecting upwardly from the lower leg of the support and a pair of angularly disposed signs carried by said. arm one above another in position to nated by saidlamp.

7 ,In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shaped support extending upward ly from, and'carried by the .post and including upper andlower legs, a depending lamp carried by the upper leg of the support, a bar secured to and projecting upwardly from the lower leg of the support and upper and lowerfangularlydisposed signs carried by the bar each including a pair of convergently arranged name plates adapted to be illuminated by the lamp.

8. In combination, a lamp post, a substantially U-shapedsupport extending upwardlyj'irom and carriedby the post,:saidsupport having upper and lower legs, a lamp disposed between and; supported by one of the legs of the, support and upper and lower angularly disposed signs carried by the other leg of the support, each including a pair of adjacently mounted name plates inclined to the axis of the post. 7 l i 9.A street; indicating device comprising a bar adaptedfor. attachment to a support having aibody portion and a tapered be illumiportion at one end, the opposite end of the bar being angularly disposed with respect to said body portion, and a pair of sign plates secured upon the opposite sides of said tapered portion whereby they are inclined in opposite directions.

10. A street indicating device comprising a substantially flat bar adapted for attachment to a support, said bar being twisted to afford an angularly disposed portion, a sign plate disposed in engagement with the face of one of said portions and with the edge of the other, and means for securing the plate upon said portions.

11. A street indicating device comprising a bar adapted for attachment to a support and having oppositely inclined portions at one end and being twisted adjacent said end to provide angularly disposed portions, a pair of oppositely arranged sign plates secured upon said inclined portions to lie in converging planes and a second pair of oppositely arranged sign plates angularly disposed with respect to the first and secured upon said angularly disposed portions to lie in converging planes.

12. A street indicating device comprising a bar adapted for attachment to a support and having at one end a tapered portion and a twisted portion adjacent thereto adapted to afford angularly disposed faces, a pair of oppositely arranged sign plates secured upon said tapered portion and extending on opposite sides thereof in converging planes, a second pair of sign plates angularly disposed with respect to the first and each engaging one face and one edge of said twisted portion whereby they are inclined in opposite directions.

13. In a street indicating device, a support, a pair. of relatively inclined name holding plates carried by the support having the letters thereof cut out in stencil form and an intermediate plate of opaque material disposed between said first mentioned plates in spaced relation thereto adapted to form a background for the letters of each name plate in contrast to the field surrounding the same.

14. In a street indicating device, a support comprising a bar having converging faces atone end, oppositely arranged name plates disposed upon said faces and extendmg on opposite sides of the bar, said plates having the letters for the names of the streets cut out in stencil form and opaque plates disposed between the name plates on opposite sides ofthe support adapted to form a background for the letters in contrast to the field surrounding the same.

15. In combination, a lamp post, a support extending upwardly from the post, comprising a member substantially in the form of a U with its median line extending transversely of the axis of the post, a lamp disposed substantially within the U and supported by one of the legs thereof and a pair of relatively inclined name holding plates carried by the other leg of the U independently of the post and in position to be illuminated by said lamp.

GEORGE S. SEARLE. 

